Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-20
q CURsOCS CRIME IN MAINE.
a Salty Compile G-,. psrs. Gree. Put q.
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rHx rior ARRANGED ~ rnsr ,HH wosaSs HUSBAND
SHALL skkk sriLTr-rnK rt01 DETECTED. Ash
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Telegram 20 the View YORK sm from Bangor,
October Ia says: The picturesque town OF Range.
ley, dotted all over with lofty heights and spark
ling ponds lies over on the western eige OF Prank.
I'm County. pretty near the Canadian border
Occupying the enure southern third OF is AREA.
niles from east 20 west II the far-faned Ranzeley
Lake. whose big trout have song been the delight
OF sportsmen from the cities who visit the locality
by hundreds every year. The two hundred and
some odd Inhabitants farm little. lumoer consid-
erably, and derive a snug revenue from touristS
They generally have little 20 talk about. except
monstrous trout, numbering operations and bg
bears; but this year h exception, for Rangeley
has chapter OF romantic crime 70 discuss
WAS GRATED ali over the hSrshern par Of Frsnsin
County by the arrest OF Abner Searles OF Rangeley
on charge OF attempting - poison the family 81
prisoner admitted his guilt ana stated that lac
had been hired 10 commit the deed by ]. Wesley
Durham a farmer, Of Rangeley, who promised
Inns for many years ,. Wesley Durham lived
happily with his wife on their little farm under
the shadow OF the Rangeley hills But nnAlly he
became satisfied that ms Sife's affecJions had
been estranged from him, and they separated, he
continuing on the farm. wAie his vile went 70
live with her paramour, Elijah Locklln- Last July
Durham had locklin arrested and brought before
trial justice In Phillips charged with adultry.
40, ne evidence was 10 strong tnsl the justice bed
OF court al Farmington. Amer the hearing Locklln
and Mn Durham continued ~ live together.
On sunday, August 81, Lccklh and Ms. Dun
ham returned from their nsid 30 the house and
found seArles there. Ne IL brother u the woman,
and was frequent visitor. sesries Il half-wlJted,
aud about seventeen years OF age While MIA
punnain was preparing dinner she noticed green
powder scattered over some apple sauce which was
cooking on The stove. On EXAMINATION she dscoy-
teapot, and IN a dish OF beans. Finally, some Of
.ne stun was noticed on searles' coat s,eeye, and
be was accused OF attempting 70 poison the family.
he confessed and said tast % The Wednesday pre-
yious Durham met him and made the proposition,
agreeing 20 pay MIN s. 'for his trouble Then
Dunnain. ne said, went 20 the house Of Luther
Miles stole package OF Paris green, and, soon re
turning, gave IL 70 Searles, who md the package
until sunday morning, when he used it 70 doctor
Locklln 5 dinner.
50 grea. was the interest In the case that the
hearing before Trial Justice Butterfed was held
an the village public hail. which was packed "a
Its utmost capacity. Locklin and two OF his hired
men testified TO finding poison In the food AZ tue
farmers house. and repested the story told them
| by sesrieH who also reiterated his yarn 20 the
effect that Durham had promised him Is n he
sueceeaed In getting rid Of the whole gang
Durham. q miadle-aged, honest-appearing man,
gave his testimony In a plsin, straightforw ard
manner, ana denied point-biank any Knowledge Of
The Judge, however, held him In 5000 bonds ror
his Appearance before the GRAND jury IN september
Bail was promptly furnished. searies WAS held 10
the same amour, oul being unable 70 get oall
was comInitted 70 the AuDuia jail. After hearing
pUnhams Testimony the puhlIe came 10 bclleys
that tine whole Thing was a job put w by LOckln
| ana MIS- Dunhsin 10 get Dunnaln OUT OF the way,
80 that he could not appear against them an The
| adultery Case. The graad jury Iook The same view
OF the case aIer hearing Iurlner evldence, and On
the LIST inst reporteu Indictments against LOckln
and searles Tor consplrang az alnsJ Dunham- Lock
la and ME- Dunnam We're also indicted for aoul-
terry. Searles Dreaded guilty, but the court de-
ierred sentence Locklin ana Mrs Durham pleaded
not guilty, but their CONVICTION Is foregone eoH-